United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Thursday highlighted a cautiously optimistic outlook for Lebanon despite the country's ongoing crises, calling for comprehensive reforms, accountability, and respect for human rights.
“Despite the immense challenges, I feel there is hope for what lies ahead,” Turk, who is on a visit to Beirut, said in a statement. His visit comes as Lebanon emerges from a two-year political deadlock, with the election of a new president and prime minister.
Lebanon elected Joseph Aoun as president on Jan. 9 after over two years of presidential vacancy caused by political disputes.
His election follows a devastating Israeli military campaign last fall which left Lebanon grappling with worsening political divisions and economic hardships.
On Monday, Aoun appointed Nawaf Salam to form a new government after he garnered support of the majority among members of parliament.
Turk described this development as an opportunity for “political stability, economic recovery, and long-overdue implementation of critical reforms.”
The high commissioner emphasized the importance of addressing Lebanon's severe socio-economic crises, which include currency devaluation, triple-digit inflation, and a struggling public sector. According to the World Bank, 44% of Lebanon's population lives below the poverty line, with 2.5 million people requiring food assistance.
Turk stressed the importance of human rights as a governance tool, highlighting the need for reforms to strengthen the rule of law, ensure judicial independence, and improve prison conditions.
He offered the UN’s support to Lebanon's new leadership, emphasizing that “the rights of all Lebanese, most importantly the vulnerable, must be at the heart of economic, fiscal, and financial policies.”
Turk reiterated his call for justice regarding the August 2020 Beirut port explosion, which killed over 218 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. “Those responsible for that tragedy must be held to account,” he said, urging the resumption of an independent investigation.
The high commissioner acknowledged the resilience of the Lebanese people amid recent violence. While commending the ongoing cease-fire with Israel, he expressed concerns over reports of demolitions by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon and underscored the need for the cease-fire to evolve into a durable peace.
“Civilians must be able to return safely,” Turk said, highlighting the toll of the conflict, which has claimed more than 4,000 lives and displaced over a million people.
Lebanon and Israel reached a cease-fire deal on Nov. 27 to end over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group since the start of the Gaza war.
Under the cease-fire terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.
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